truck dying

[Cooter199]

my truck will die once in a while and then wont start for about 5 minutes and then it will start like nothing happened. what could cause this?

 

[mhughes165]

TFI on the dizzy on its way out

 

[kimcrwbr1]

check all the wires and clean the connectors with elect cleaner and put dielectric on when you put them together. Sand all the grounds metal to metal. Are there any stored codes check for codes it is real hard to diagnose intermittent faults I hope the code will point you but not always the case.

 

[n_grimm]

check all the wires and clean the connectors with elect cleaner and put dielectric on when you put them together. Sand all the grounds metal to metal. Are there any stored codes check for codes it is real hard to diagnose intermittent faults I hope the code will point you but not always the case.

kimcrwbr1, You are so right about the connections. As computer tech for many years there were so many times when intermittent problems were fixed just by reseating connectors. Have you found a particular brand or type of cleaner that really removes the oxidation from the connectors? Mostly I have used contact cleaner from Radio Shack but the contacts don't look much different than before. It seems like they would get brighter once the oxidation was removed. I noticed they have a two step cleaner now but it is fairly expensive. I appreciate any suggestions you may have.

 

[Tedybear]

kimcrwbr1, You are so right about the connections. As computer tech for many years there were so many times when intermittent problems were fixed just by reseating connectors. Have you found a particular brand or type of cleaner that really removes the oxidation from the connectors? Mostly I have used contact cleaner from Radio Shack but the contacts don't look much different than before. It seems like they would get brighter once the oxidation was removed. I noticed they have a two step cleaner now but it is fairly expensive. I appreciate any suggestions you may have.

Oddly enough WalMart sells electronic cleaning solvent in their automotive dept. We use it A LOT at work (I manage a video arcade and am also the stores tech). Spray things down...use a very soft brush (brass works decent. I have a cheap small set from Advance from their discount bin)...reattach things if you had to unbolt it. You can also give it a light coating of dielectric grease to prevent or retard oxidation. (I've often wondered if the spray they use to prevent crud on battery terminals would work to prevent oxidation of electrical contacts---clearly NOT spraying it into the plugs and such--but coating things to prevent the buggers/moist air/etc....from getting into connectors.)

S-

 

[jhammel85]

I second the TFI giving out. Check those connections 1st though!

 

[dave2575]

TFI causes that problem. 2.9s are well known for overheated TFI's, some taurus's (check the tech. section) have a TFI that have a larger aluminum heat sink built onto it and can mount anywhere with a good ground. this will take care of any future overheating problems on the TFI. just an alternative to think about. good luck.